Best of Rooms, The (arr Grant)

From Wind Repertory Project
Randall Thompson

Randall Thompson (trans. Tyler Grant)


General Info

Year: 1963 / 2017
Duration: c. 3:55
Difficulty: V (see Ratings for explanation)
Original Medium: A capella choir
Publisher: TSG Music Works
Cost: Score and Parts (print) - $80.00   |   Score Only (print) - $20.00


Instrumentation

Full Score
C Piccolo
Flute I-II
Oboe
English Horn
Bassoon I-II
B-flat Soprano Clarinet I-II-III
B-flat Bass Clarinet
B-flat Contrabass Clarinet (optional)
E-flat Alto Saxophone I-II
B-flat Tenor Saxophone
E-flat Baritone Saxophone
B-flat Trumpet I-II-III
Horn in F I-II-III-IV
Trombone I-II
Bass Trombone
Euphonium
Tuba
String Bass
Timpani
Percussion, including:

  • Chimes
  • Crotales
  • Suspended Cymbal
  • Triangle


Errata

None discovered thus far.


Program Notes

A stunning addition to the wind band repertoire, Tyler S. Grant’s transcription of Randall Thompson’s eloquent The Best of Rooms is a testament to Thompson’s rich, melodic and harmonic style. Best known for his choral music, Randall Thompson wrote for a wide variety of vocal ensembles, from part songs to large-scale choral works. He often used Biblical texts, the texts of American and English poets, and texts which describe events in American history. Thompson’s original setting of The Best of Rooms borrows text from Robert Herrick’s work by the same title, gleaned from the larger work Christ’s Part, 1647.

Originally composed in 1963, the text of Randall Thompson’s The Best of Rooms is as follows:

Christ, He requires still, wheresoe’er he comes;
To feed, or lodge, to have the best of rooms:
Give Him the choice, grant Him the nobler part
Of all the house: the best of all’s the heart.

- Program Note from The Alabama Winds concert program, 20 December 2017


Randall Coleman writes,

Life is full of change ... it may well be our only certainty, the only constant in our day-to-day lives. On March 7, 2013, my life changed forever when my best friend, my soul-mate and biggest fan, left this earth as I held her in my arms.

Anne was my compass throughout my career. We met in August of 1982 on my first day as a teacher when we were invited to lunch with several of our colleagues. We were instantly best friends, and were married three years later. She was my constant companion ... and was the consummate partner in this crazy life as a band director ... and was the best teacher I have ever known. She attended every concert and performance that my ensembles gave, and I could always count on the strongest cheers coming from her.

I knew I wanted to have a piece created in her honor. She was not a “band kid” growing up ... she sang in the choir ... so that led me to think about a transcription of choral music. Thompson’s The Best of Rooms has always been one of her favorites, so I knew that this was what I wanted to do. I am fortunate to have Tyler S. Grant as one of my students at the University of Alabama. I asked Tyler if he would be interested in taking on this project for me, and he agreed. The circle was now perfect ... one of my students writing music to honor the wonderful memory of my best friend, Anne. My life has continued to change over the past four years, but not a day passes that something ... a picture, a former student, or a sound, fails to remind me of Anne. I know Anne’s spirit is here today, cheering loudly from the front row. I miss you. Thank you, Tyler.”

- Program Note by Randall Coleman


Randall Thompson wrote The Best of Rooms based on a verse by English poet Robert Herrick (1591-1674).


Media


State Ratings

None discovered thus far.


Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project

  • University of Illinois (Champaign) Hindsley Symphonic Band (Anthony Messina, conductor) – 6 December 2019
  • Bowling Green (Ohio) State University Wind Symphony (Bruce Moss, conductor) – 4 May 2019
  • James Madison University (Harrisonburg, Va.) Wind Symphony (Shawn Davern, conductor) – 26 April 2018
  • Columbia University (New York, N.Y.) Wind Ensemble (Jason Noble, conductor) – 4 March 2018
  • The Alabama Winds (Tuscaloosa) (Randall Ogren Coleman, conductor) - 20 December 2017 (2017 Midwest Clinic)
  • University of Alabama (Tuscaloosa) Symphonic Band (Randall O. Coleman, conductor) – 4 December 2017


Works for Winds by This Composer


Resources

None discovered thus far.

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